So Long, Our Sister in Profession (Joventina Tubola Torrico, 8-5-25 )

Joventina has lived  the life of a missionary,

She served as the light of the community;

She would leave her home at break of day,

The distant school was her destiny.

She welcomed the young with open arms, 

They, who hailed from far-flung farms;

She made them feel at ease with friendliness that charms,

And showed the school as a second home that warms.

Bearing the burden of responsibility,

She took teaching as her top priority; 

A good shepherdess to a flock of forty,

She saw to it that none would go astray. 

Not only with the 3R's she developed their ability, 

But also  how to sing and dance gracefully;

She coaxed them to behave properly,

And value education and spirituality.

She did not fail to give Scouting, a space,

She trained the kids to survive in many ways;

To discern what values to embrace, 

And  experience life in the open place.

In her womb, not a child she did bear,

Yet mothered scores of children with care;

Her heart is roomy for everyone to share,

Her time and effort she is always, ready to spare.

Sweet were the moments of every December,

When she and her pupils spent Christmas together;

She was their friend and gift giver, 

From whom they learned to give and to remember.

Each year, when classes came to an end, 

She'd let go of the flock she used to tend;

They were sad but with  no broken heart to mend,

Because to the next grade, all she would send. 

In every school project or undertaking, 

She did her part without complaining;

She believed that every good thing is worth doing,

She worked well despite of the meager wage she was receiving.

She was never selfish of her cooperation,

With the community or the civic and church organization; 

She extended services without hesitation,

Not expecting for any return or compensation.

Then the years went slipping through her fingers,

Happy days went winging through the children's laughter; 

Until one morn she bade goodbye to co-workers,

To join the clan of the retired teachers.

She retired from service but not from teaching,

Like the legendary phoenix rose from her ashes after a moment of dying; 

This time, with Catechism, she went on preaching,

The mission to spread truth, she never stopped loving.

She proved that "once a teacher, always a teacher"

Her love for teaching lingered like a flickering ember; 

For her, goodbye is not forever,

But only an interlude of now and thereafter.

Now, the time has come foe her to go home to Our Creator;

With grieving heart, we send her off with our fervent prayer;

Clutching the beautiful memories she left behind, we let go her,

And bid her farewell and eternal repose in the bosom of Our Heavenly Father.